Tuesday, June 20th 2023
Seasonic Launches Updated Prime PX and Prime TX ATX 3.0 Power Supplies
Seasonic has launched the updated Prime PX 1600 Watt PSU that TPU spotted at Computex earlier this month, alongside two new Prime TX models at 1300 and 1600 Watt. The three models all adhere to the ATX 3.0 standard, unlike its predecessors. However, it appears that Seasonic hasn't as yet, at least, decided to update its lower Wattage models to the ATX 3.0 standard. Both 1600 Watt models feature a pair of 12VHPWR connectors, whereas the 1300 Watt model gets to make do with a single 12VHPWR connector. All three models feature no less than nine CPU/PCIe 12 V connectors and six peripheral connectors for modular cables.
The Prime PX is rated for 80 Plus Platinum and the Prime TX for 80 Plus Titanium and this appears to be the only major difference between the two models. Other interesting features include a 135 mm fan with fluid dynamic bearings and a digital hybrid fan control, as well as a bundles basic PSU tester. Both models also come with a 12 year warranty. Price wise, the Prime PX-1600 will retail for US$509.99/€459.99, with the Prime TX-1300 going for US$519.99/€479.99 and finally the Prime TX-1600 will set you back US$609.99/€549.99, suggesting a steep price premium for only a marginally more efficient PSU.
Source:
Seasonic
The Prime PX is rated for 80 Plus Platinum and the Prime TX for 80 Plus Titanium and this appears to be the only major difference between the two models. Other interesting features include a 135 mm fan with fluid dynamic bearings and a digital hybrid fan control, as well as a bundles basic PSU tester. Both models also come with a 12 year warranty. Price wise, the Prime PX-1600 will retail for US$509.99/€459.99, with the Prime TX-1300 going for US$519.99/€479.99 and finally the Prime TX-1600 will set you back US$609.99/€549.99, suggesting a steep price premium for only a marginally more efficient PSU.
16 Comments on Seasonic Launches Updated Prime PX and Prime TX ATX 3.0 Power Supplies
I guess I'll grab a decent Corsair HX next.
Unless you are running a high end rig at max 24/7 the savings due to the higher efficiency of the Platinum and Titanium Rated PSUs on the electric bill will not pay for the difference over the course of the lifespan of the PSU instead of getting a Gold Rated Seasonic.
It's why i went with a Fanless TX-700, i was able to hear the PX-850 fan over my case fans.
But if you think about it, these PSUs can serve you for 10 years, so a price of $300~350 can be reasonable.
Also, you getting the Platinum to have less heat not a smaller electricity bill.
Not even premium brands are above of "bugs".
Electricity isn't super expensive where I live, so I doubt the Seasonic units in the article would ever pay for themselves here. There are some other lower priced platinum units that are priced close enough to gold units to pay for the difference in ~4-5 years (rough napkin math) though. In places with more expensive electricity, the return would come even sooner.
For better fan, look for FDB/maglev ones. Be-quiet! ones are great, so are Enermax, albeit both can get pricey.
But I'm more interested in lower wattage fanless and coil whine-less PSUs.
My old fanless Seasonic has been serving me well for a long time, but it does have a bit of coil whine, which I'd rather avoid in the future.
Peak Efficiency:
Gold Rated 90%
Platinum Rated 92%
Titanium Rated 94%
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus
I also don't think most people look at the actual math to see how little a difference it makes to get a Platinum or Titanium Rated PSU over a Gold Rated PSU. So let's look at the math for a gamer using the highest end power hungry rig to see. Maybe the gamer plays an average of 3 hours a day everyday and pays the national average here in the USA of 15 cents per kWh. If you are paying less than 15 cents per kWh or significantly more per kWh then do the math to see if it's worth it for you. The 800 watts average is because a gamer usually isn't running their rig at max all of the time while playing.
(3 hours a day) X (365 days a year) X (800 watts average) X (15 cents per kWh)
A Platinum Rated over a Gold Rated would cost about $2.60 less over a year period.
A Titanium Rated over a Gold Rated would cost about $5.20 less over a year period.
Assuming you used the PSU for 10 years that's a net savings of about $26 for Platinum over Gold
And a net savings of about $52 over Gold with a Titanium Rated over the life of the PSU.
This is what it amounts to even for an extreme gamer. For the average gamer it amounts to very, very little difference.
Once again, as I stated before, if the unit is being run in a Folding, Mining, Work related rig at max 24/7 then it's worth it but that is a small amount of users overall. For the rest of us a Gold Rated Seasonic makes far more sense financially.
EDIT: the Corsair AX1600i
It doesn't even have to be 24/7 use to recoup costs.
If we go with 15c per kWh, at 50% load (0.65kWh) an a 10 hour workday, and 260 working days a year, a power supply at 92% efficiency saves $6.13 per year over a 90% one, $30.65 over 5 years.
Here's a snapshot of 1300W PSUs from PCpartpicker at the time of posting